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Care to explain why? You have no evidence as to why that would be, I assume. The viability of Sanders' campaign is a serious question and is why he wasn't nomi

by hacym 7y ago

Care to explain why? You have no evidence as to why that would be, I assume. The viability of Sanders' campaign is a serious question and is why he wasn't nominated. If there had been resounding support for him as a candidate, he would have been nominated... I understand that his campaign and supporters will make some argument about how it's the DNC holding him down, or some conspiracy, or whatever, but the reality is that he isn't/wasn't/won't be viable in a general election against Trump. Socialism, or whatever Bernie wants to sell himself as does not sell to the broader electorate that is going to have to be captured in November.

AnimalMuppet 7y ago
In my view, Sanders wasn't viable to win the primary once there were only two candidates. But I think he might possibly have had a better shot at beating Trump than Biden, because Trump is a populist. Running another populist against him divides those who are looking for "something different" as opposed to "business as usual" - especially of some of those who voted for "something different" decide that they haven't actually gotten much from Trump. On the other hand, there are people who think that Sanders was too extreme to be elected, and those people may well be right. TL;DR: I don't know. I'm not sure either Biden or Sanders could beat Trump.
- ardy42 7y ago
  > In my view, Sanders wasn't viable to win the primary once there were only two candidates. But I think he might possibly have had a better shot at beating Trump than Biden, because Trump is a populist. Running another populist against him divides those who are looking for "something different" as opposed to "business as usual" - especially of some of those who voted for "something different" decide that they haven't actually gotten much from Trump. For that reason, I think Biden should really pick a VP with populist bona fides, or at least someone who's willing to imagine something beyond a slightly tweaked status quo.
ProAm 7y ago
Purely from an observational opinion I don't see Biden as electable. Sanders would of also had a tough time, but running a populist vs populist versus a career politician vs populist I think the former has the strongest chance. I also think Bernie's approach to healthcare during the times we are in now would hold a lot of favor. I think Biden is either senile now or turning senile quickly (based on observing him speaking publicly the last 4 months) and won't fair well in debates or campaigning as a result. He's doddering, did not do much as VP, and doesn't have a history of strong stances that he can hold up and swing voters or independents. I'm not for or against any of the candidates and this is obviously opinion but I think Trump just won re-election.
- hacym 7y ago
  It's fairly easy to imagine the attacks that Trump will land against Sanders, which would work to discredit him through fear. I don't think you'll see that with Biden. Sanders' campaign would quickly fall apart under the weight of those attacks. Also, I'm tired of hearing this senile line. It's a form of ageism. He's never been a talented public speaker, specifically when he's not feeding off the energy of a crowd. Just go back and look at his old speeches. If you are looking for a young, vibrant candidate, neither Sanders or Biden is your ticket, anyway. Sanders is older than Biden.
  - ProAm 7y ago
    It's not ageism when all three candidates are very old. If you look back to when Biden was VP and how he speaks now there is a noticeable difference. I think both Biden and Sanders would have had a hard time campaigning for the reasons you listed. I believe Sanders would have stood a better chance again because of the populist vs populist approach. I believe Sanders supporters are as vocal as Trump supporters and you dont have that with Biden supporters at all. You can't lobby much against Biden because he doesnt stand for much (again obviously opinion, and Im not trying to start a fight or argument) as compared to Sanders. They have vastly different goals in mind for a presidency.
    - hacym 6y ago

by hacym 7y ago

AnimalMuppet 7y ago

In my view, Sanders wasn't viable to win the primary once there were only two candidates. But I think he might possibly have had a better shot at beating Trump than Biden, because Trump is a populist. Running another populist against him divides those who are looking for "something different" as opposed to "business as usual" - especially of some of those who voted for "something different" decide that they haven't actually gotten much from Trump. On the other hand, there are people who think that Sanders was too extreme to be elected, and those people may well be right. TL;DR: I don't know. I'm not sure either Biden or Sanders could beat Trump.

ardy42 7y ago
> In my view, Sanders wasn't viable to win the primary once there were only two candidates. But I think he might possibly have had a better shot at beating Trump than Biden, because Trump is a populist. Running another populist against him divides those who are looking for "something different" as opposed to "business as usual" - especially of some of those who voted for "something different" decide that they haven't actually gotten much from Trump. For that reason, I think Biden should really pick a VP with populist bona fides, or at least someone who's willing to imagine something beyond a slightly tweaked status quo.

ProAm 7y ago

Purely from an observational opinion I don't see Biden as electable. Sanders would of also had a tough time, but running a populist vs populist versus a career politician vs populist I think the former has the strongest chance. I also think Bernie's approach to healthcare during the times we are in now would hold a lot of favor. I think Biden is either senile now or turning senile quickly (based on observing him speaking publicly the last 4 months) and won't fair well in debates or campaigning as a result. He's doddering, did not do much as VP, and doesn't have a history of strong stances that he can hold up and swing voters or independents. I'm not for or against any of the candidates and this is obviously opinion but I think Trump just won re-election.

hacym 7y ago
It's fairly easy to imagine the attacks that Trump will land against Sanders, which would work to discredit him through fear. I don't think you'll see that with Biden. Sanders' campaign would quickly fall apart under the weight of those attacks. Also, I'm tired of hearing this senile line. It's a form of ageism. He's never been a talented public speaker, specifically when he's not feeding off the energy of a crowd. Just go back and look at his old speeches. If you are looking for a young, vibrant candidate, neither Sanders or Biden is your ticket, anyway. Sanders is older than Biden.
- ProAm 7y ago
  It's not ageism when all three candidates are very old. If you look back to when Biden was VP and how he speaks now there is a noticeable difference. I think both Biden and Sanders would have had a hard time campaigning for the reasons you listed. I believe Sanders would have stood a better chance again because of the populist vs populist approach. I believe Sanders supporters are as vocal as Trump supporters and you dont have that with Biden supporters at all. You can't lobby much against Biden because he doesnt stand for much (again obviously opinion, and Im not trying to start a fight or argument) as compared to Sanders. They have vastly different goals in mind for a presidency.
  - hacym 6y ago